# Gawain — Lais character guide

> Gawain in Lais by Marie de France.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0007-the-lay-of-sir-launfal

## Snapshot

Arthur's nephew and courtly gold standard, the knight whose name alone raises the stakes whenever a stranger rides in to test the Round Table's honour.

## Who they are

Gawain belongs to the inner circle of Arthur's court, the polished benchmark against whom other knights measure their courtesy and prowess. His presence turns any challenge into a verdict on Camelot itself: to best him is to best the king's own blood, and to fail is to be forgotten. In the lais he rarely dominates, yet his name carries weight in every hall it is spoken, shaping how rivals and allies alike reckon their worth.

## Relationships

### [Sir Launfal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/sir_launfal)

_friendship_

Gawain and Sir Launfal are fellow knights and close friends, supporting each other in court and combat.

### [Sir Launfal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/sir_launfal)

_friendship_

Gawain and Sir Launfal are fellow knights and close friends, supporting each other in court and combat.

## In the story

### [The Lay of Sir Launfal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/chapters/the-lay-of-sir-launfal)

A knight of the Round Table and friend to Launfal, who supports him during the trial and brings news of the approaching maidens.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters/gawain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lais_se/characters